Augmenting demand for nylon is anticipated to stimulate the growth of the global muconic acid market in the near future. Muconic acid is a dicarboxylic acid, obtained in three isomers, namely cis,trans-muconic, cis,cis-muconic, and trans,trans-muconic acids. These types can be distinguished by comparing the geometry around their double bonds. Currently, muconic acid has gathered focus from many industries, as it can be used as a base chemical in the preparation of products such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyurethane (as adipic acid intermedisate), and nylon 6,6. Universities and companies alike have been producing muconic acid with the fermentation process using genetically modified microbial species.

Transparency Market Research (TMR) estimates that the global market for muconic acid is expected to reach US$86.54 mn by value, by the end of 2020.

Adipic acid, a prominent derivative of muconic acid, is expected to contribute a dominant share to the overall market of muconic acid. Adipic acid is used for various applications such as detergents, plasticizers, and coatings. However, it is prominently used as a monomer for the synthesis of nylon 6-6. Currently, adipic acid is principally manufactured from synthetic cyclohexane. However, the trend of using renewable or bio-based sources is motivating manufacturers to use muconic acid to produce adipic acid. It is anticipated that the rising demand for nylon will propel the market for adipic acid, assisting the growth of the global muconic acid market. Adipic acid has a low potential for bioaccumulation and is readily biodegradable. These eco-friendly physical and chemical properties are allowing manufacturers to use adipic acid over synthetic cyclohexane. Following adipic acid, caprolactam has garnered significant interest owing to the growth of the textile industry in developing countries and the carpet industry in developed countries. Other derivatives such as adiponitrile, hexamethylenediamine, and TPA are envisioned to be collectively form a market of US$338.3 thousand by the end of 2020.

In terms of applications, carpets and textiles is expected to hold a leading share of the overall market in the future. Furthermore, the plastic segment is expected to follow carpets and textiles to contribute the second largest share to the overall market. Plastics find key applications in the manufacturing of parts such as conveyor belts and tire cords. Other uses of muconic acid include usage in biomarkers for identifying diseases and research applications.

North America Leads Muconic Acid Market Owing to Development in Carpets and Textiles Industry

Geographically, North America is expected to hold a commanding position in the global market for muconic acid. In this region, the carpets and textiles application segment has fueled the market’s growth owing to increasing demand for nylon. Furthermore, Europe is expected to demonstrate significant growth in the market due to the growing usage of nylon. Growth in carbon emissions and legislations laid down by governments of various countries to reduce these emissions are expected to increase usage of muconic acid for the production of nylon. The Asia Pacific market is anticipated to grow at a relatively slower rate.

The global muconic acid market is at a developing stage with presence of very few large companies. Key players in this market are striving to expand their market share at a significant rate in the coming years. The continuous research and development programs followed by researchers are expected to augment new applications of muconic acid. Prominent players in this market include Sigma-Aldrich, Myriant Corporation, and Santa Cruz Biotechnology.

Increasing demand for nylon fibers from the carpets and textiles industry is expected to boost the growth of the adipic acid and caprolactam market. This, in turn, is anticipated to drive the muconic acid market. Muconic acid forms an intermediate in the production of adipic acid, caprolactam, terephthalic acid (TPA), etc. However, muconic acid is currently not preferred in the production of its derivatives on a large scale due to its low yield and subsequent high price. Other substitutes such as cyclohexane are preferred over muconic acid as they are easily available at cheaper rates. Thus, these substitutes are estimated to hamper market growth during the forecast period. However, development of bio-based muconic acid is projected to offer immense opportunities in the market in the near future. Currently, companies such as Invista, Verdezyne and Rennovia produce bio-based adipic acid through the fermentation of glucose.

The market has been estimated in terms of demand for muconic acid rather than production for muconic acid from 2013 to 2020. Initially, extensive secondary research was conducted using secondary sources such as company annual reports, news articles, press releases and patents. Several secondary sources referred for this study include ICIS, Chemical Weekly, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Global Chemicals Outlook and PU Daily. In order to validate secondary findings, primary interviews were conducted with key industry participants of the market. Participants include CEOs, VPs, sales & marketing managers, operations managers, purchase managers, research scientists and distributors. This method has resulted in estimating accurate market data and future trends of the market. The global muconic acid market was forecasted using the top-down approach for estimating and forecasting by region. The bottom-up approach was used for estimating and forecasting derivatives and applications of muconic acid.

This report analyzes demand for muconic acid in terms of volume (tons) and revenue (USD thousand) from 2013 to 2020. The market is segmented based on muconic acid derivatives and applications. Major derivatives of muconic acid include adipic acid, caprolactam and others. Muconic acid is segmented based on applications such as plastics, carpets & textiles, lubricants and others. These derivatives and applications have been estimated for each region including North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World from 2013 to 2020 in terms of volume and revenue.

The study includes a detailed analysis of factors driving and restraining market growth and their impact on the market during the forecast period. It also includes market estimates and forecast for major derivatives that are driving the muconic acid market. Additionally, the report includes upcoming opportunities in the market. The report comprises a detailed value chain analysis in order to study value addition at each stage. Porter’s five forces model analyzes competition in the market and its impact on buyers, suppliers, substitutes, new entrants, and degree of competition. This helps in analyzing bargaining power of suppliers as well as buyers in the muconic acid market and its impact on the new entrants. The market attractiveness analysis gauges the highly attractive application area of muconic acid. It also includes the list of potential buyers that are major players in the muconic acid derivatives market. The study includes price trend analysis of muconic acid on the global level.

The report comprises company profiles of major players in the market. These profiles cover manufacturers as well as distributors of muconic acid. Company profiles offer an overview of companies, their financial overview, business strategies, SWOT analysis and recent developments. Major participants profiled in the report include Myriant Corporation, Santa Cruz Biotechnology, and Sigma-Aldrich.